A Model of Transient Unilateral Focal Ischemia With Reperfusion in the P7 Neonatal Rat

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Abstract
Background and Purpose—The mechanisms leading to delayed cell death after hypoxic-ischemic injury in the developing brain remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to develop a model of transient focal ischemia in the neonatal rat in an attempt to create a reperfusion phase since in the filament model of reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion, size limitations precluded performing this procedure before 14 to 18 days. We then analyze whether apoptosis or necrosis occurs in this model. Methods—Seven-day-old Wistar rat pups (n=96) underwent permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion in association with 1-hour occlusion of the left common carotid artery. Evolution of the brain infarction was studied from 24 hours to 3 months on cresyl violet–stained coronal sections. Infarct volume was determined with the use of the mitochondrial stain 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Neuronal death was demonstrated by the silver staining method of Gallyas et al (1980). Chromatin condensation was shown ...